THE ALPHA'S SUBSTITUTE BRIDE

Intoxicating

*LOUIS*

"I'm yet to find out the main cause of the pain in your chest, my prince. However, everytime you visit the hospital, the only significant difference is your tattoo. It disappears by section" I recalled the doctor's words as I undid my shirt and took a dejected seat by the edge of my bed, while staring at my fading tattoo.

I sighed gently, recalling how I was cursed years ago by a rogue witch. An unbearable pain in my chest was a cross I had to carry ever since the incident. According to the witchy, I'll keep facing the pain seep through me painfully and it'll get worse with time until my pack's royal identity birth tattoo fades away completely then I'll die without trace if I don't find my first love until then.

Now I couldn't help wondering to what extent I have to search before I'll have to find my cure. My first love, Fiona. Without her, I'll never be able to break my curse but right now she's nowhere to be found.

Father and I have searched high and low over the past five years but there was nothing at all. No leads, no first love, no Fiona, no cure!

The door suddenly clicked open and a frail looking girl walked in. I watched keenly as she strolled towards the desk, only to stop and face me, obviously waiting for an order to place it down.

As soon as she walked in, her undeniably intoxicating scent hit me hard, making it impossible to keep my eyes off her.

She looked weak... her aura was almost invisible and I could feel her labored breaths. In irritation, I rudely asked if I had to teach her to place the tray down and she immediately got the hint. But when she made to leave I stopped her.

I'm not letting her off my sight until I find out who she was, why she was here instead of my chef, Chang and why she had such a scent on her.

It only took few answers to find out two of my questions. I clenched my jaw hard, irritated by the fact that I felt attracted to one of my father's countless brides recommendations.

I've made him understand several times that no one could replace Fiona. Not in my heart, not for the curse but he never listens.

I returned my gaze to her, unintentionally comparing her scent to Fiona's and I knew I had to get rid of her before things get even more complicated. Dad wouldn't get rid of her and Liam wants her too. I just have to find a way to get rid of her sooner than later.

However, the weakling had pleaded for her already pathetic life, vowing to please me in anyway and after giving it a little thought, I decided to give her the advantage of letting her live under my influence till she eventually begs me to end her life.

People like her won't last long. She had nothing to lose anyway.

I dismissed her while turning my gaze away from her. I had a lot to take care of rather than sit and chat away with some unwanted weakling.

She stood to leave but the pained sigh that escaped her pulled back my attention to her and that's when I saw that she was half unconscious. Before I could control my own movement, I found myself catching her before she could hit the ground hard.

"Hey! Weakling?" I called angrily, shaking her gently but she didn't as much as move a muscle.

"Did she actually pass out after kneeling for just three minutes? What a dedicated weakling!" I scoffed as I carried her in my arms and placed her gently on my bed. Thankfully, it was a king sized comfy bed and I wouldn't use a bed rest until she was awake and out of my room.

I contemplated calling Martins, my doctor to check on her while she was asleep or when she regains consciousness and I eventually concluded on the former.

"Nate? Get me Martins, right now" I mindlinked Nathan, my beta.

"On it" he responded while cutting off the link. I stole another glance at the annoying weakling and I instantly got carried away by her innocent visuals.

Her bruised chiseled jawline, her pretty noseline, lashes and her irresistible pink lips made me swallow nothing.

She might be a weakling, but she sure had the looks. I felt a stir deep within me as I watched her sleep peacefully with a small frown over her forehead. Everything about her screams sadness. She is sad even in her sleep.

Then she stirred once, the frown on her face deepened and I stretched my arm in a attempt to stroke her hair until she's calm again but I felt Liam growl within me and it took all my will strength to keep him from taking control of the situation. He hadn't try to be in control for a while so why now?

I heard him growl "Mate" as he struggled and fought with me but it took only five words to calm him down. "She's not our first love, Liam!" I reminded with a feral growl and of course he knew we had to find her real quick before things go south. "We don't need a mate right now. Only Fiona!"

The door flipped open and I retracted my arm quickly, keeping my expression in check as I turned to see Martins in his white glory walking in after bowing deeply in respect.

"Shhh" I mumbled and he nodded once as he silently made his way towards the bed.

"Just do a general check up without waking her up. I can't let her misunderstand the kind gesture" I warned and he nodded once before facing her.

After twenty long minutes, he completed the checkup and applied an ointment to her visible bruises.

"She's been bullied and has sustained alot of bruises and injuries, but there's nothing critical except her hand" Martins explained as we strolled to the edge of the room.

"Tell me more" I inquired.

"She's broke some bones in her hand and her muscles were affected but the most surprising thing is, she's not healing" he said and I frowned, c*****g my brows.

"How could that be? It doesn't look like a day's wound, why isn't she fully healed of a minor wound?" I muttered to no one in particular.

"I've seen cases like this in the past but It's only cases common to low class wolves or those that doesn't have a wolf at all" Martins continued and my frown deepened.

"What?" I exclaimed in surprise, my gaze traveling back to her sleeping figure.

'She isn't a low class, how could she be so weak? Does she not have a wolf? Is that why her father hated her so much?' several thoughts ran through my mind in the span of two seconds.

"Thanks for showing up, Martins. You may leave now" I said calmly and he bowed deeply before walking straight out.

"Arya Warren. I need to find out more about this pretty weakling that managed to get my attention. Something about her felt different from other girls that I've come across. I had no idea if it was the fact that she was the weakest I've seen or because she's the prettiest so far. Either ways I have to find a way to cut her off and that'll begin with giving Father an ear full.

I put on my jacket sat on the wheelchair and wheeled myself out effortlessly. I had no idea how long I'm going to keep up the pretense but it'll be long enough to expose the green snake Uncle Orson.

~~~

"Father!" I called as I made my way into his study, mum had told me he was in here when I checked at his room.

"What do we have here, son?" He asked, smiling lightly but I assumed he must have seen that I wasn't here to joke seeing how his smile faded.

"Did something bad happen? Did any constriction happen again?" He asked in concern and I sighed in annoyance.

"I'd rather solve problems myself, Father. I'm not a child" I said without hiding my irritation.

"Then what's the problem?" He asked, diverting his full attention to me at once.

"My problem is you, father. I've made it clear several times that I'm not interested in this marriage spree, but you just wouldn't listen" I said in a loud voice, hoping he sees how sincere I am right now.

"Janelle Warren isn't just any girl, Louis. She's the Warren's gem, you'll eventually need her, come what may" he said and I blew nothing in exhaustion.

"I don't need her, I won't ever need her. She..." I sighed in frustration as I suddenly thought of the weakling on my bed right now. I can't believe he actually didn't know that I married a weakling puppet and not the gem.

"She's not Janelle Warren" I suddenly blurted and I saw a frown of confusion form on his face.

"What do you mean?" He asked curiously.

"The girl I married isn't Janelle Warren" I resolved and his eyes widened. "She's Arya Warren, your beta's biological daughter" I concluded and his lips twitched with uncertainty.

"Isn't that a good thing? Isn't it better getting married to Arya than the popular stepdaughter? Besides, you get more advantage from the family's inheritance..." he pointed out but my glare stopped him midway.

"It was useless talking you. Just have it in mind that I wouldn't tolerate any of your sole decisions anymore" I said lastly before wheeling myself away.

"Nate! Get me more information on Arya Warren" I mindlinked.

"What? Don't tell me..."

"Just do as I say Nathan" I interrupted.

"Yes, your highness..." he trailed off.